Gov. Cuomo announces NY Works improvements under way in Niagara Falls State Park

by jmaloni

Tue, Sep 4th 2012 03:40 pm

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday
that NY Works restoration projects are under way in Niagara Falls State Park,
making much-needed improvements at the Three Sisters Islands and Luna Island
viewing areas.

The NY Works program is investing
$2 million for restorations at Three Sisters Islands, which include a new
trolley shelter, expanded parking area, new pedestrian walkways and overlooks,
enhanced landscaping, as well as new railings. Luna Island will receive $1.187
million in NY Works funding for new pedestrian walkways, overlook improvements,
enhanced landscaping as well as new benches, light posts and railings.

"From the sandy beaches of
Long Island to the breath-taking Niagara Falls, New York's 178 public parks are
truly a state treasure, providing our residents and visitors from around the
world a place to experience nature and the beauty of New York state,"
Cuomo said. "The NY Works program has taken the lead in investing in our
state parks, so we can preserve these treasures for future generations and
continue to provide all New Yorkers with a place to enjoy the great outdoors.
With these investments in Niagara Falls State Park, the many visitors who come
each year to see the falls will have a much improved experience as they take in
the beauty of one of America's most iconic natural wonders."

Rose Harvey, commissioner of the
New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, said,
"These projects will enhance our visitors' experience at Niagara Falls
State Park. Both of these locations are very popular vantage points in which
patrons can get up close and personal with the falls and the mighty rapids of
the Niagara River. The work will not only beautify these locations, but make
them more accessible for all of our guests. I want to thank all of our patrons
for their patience as we work to finish this project as soon as possible and
look forward to welcoming them back to the sites when the work is complete."

These projects represent the
second round of a multi-year, $25 million commitment to restoring Niagara Falls
State Park, the nation's oldest state park. Funding for the Niagara Falls park
revitalization initiative will come primarily from money from the Niagara River
Greenway funded by the New York Power Authority under commitments made by the
authority in 2005 as part of its relicensing process for the Niagara Power
Project hydroelectric dam. State Parks will consult with the Niagara River Greenway
Commission on the projects.

Work at the Schoellkopf Overlook and Discovery
Center, which began in December 2011, is wrapping up later this year and is also
funded through this source.

The improvements announced Tuesday
are outlined in a comprehensive landscape improvement plan developed this year
to restore the most heavily used areas of Niagara Falls State Park, including
its primary viewing points, walking trails, historic buildings, and plantings.
All landscape improvement projects will be consistent with illustrious park
planner Frederick Law Olmsted's original vision for the park.

Scott Lawn Yard
of Sanborn will be the contractor on the Three Sisters Island projects, and
Mark Cerrone Inc. of Niagara Falls will be the contractor on the work done at Luna
Island. Both projects are expected to be completed within a year, and the sites
will be closed to the public during various stages of construction.

State Sen. George D. Maziarz said,
"Luna and Three Sisters Islands are major tourism draws for this region
and are visited by millions of people each year. This funding provides the
much-needed restoration to these historic park locations, while restoring the
historic Olmsted vision in the process. Furthermore, I am pleased that the
restorations will be done by local companies here in Niagara County through
Governor Cuomo's NY Works Initiative Program. These restorations will go a long
way to provide all visitors and residents a wonderful experience in visiting
Niagara Falls."

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto said,
"Today is a great day for Niagara Falls. Just over a year ago, I met with
Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey to address concerns over the conditions of
Niagara Falls State Park. Less than a year later, Governor Cuomo made a $25
million investment in our parks. These capital improvements will make our state
park a better destination for the millions of tourists who visit Niagara Falls
each and every year."

City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul
Dyster said, "Niagara Falls is an international tourism touchstone delicately
set in our nation's oldest state park. It's of critical importance that we act
as stewards of the Frederick Law Olmsted vision while maintaining the park and
preserving the integrity of this incredible natural waterfall. We sincerely
appreciate the strong support of New York state in making these upgrades and
improvements, which will enhance the falls experience for our millions of
visitors."

The NY Works program is tasked with coordinating $1.3 billion in state funding
to spur up to $25 billion in investment from other sources, including private
companies, the federal government, and authorities, to allow major projects to
move forward that will create jobs and improve the state's infrastructure. NY Works
will provide $89 million statewide, leveraging $143 million in total funding to
rehabilitate dozens of state parks and historic sites, representing the single
largest infusion in history of capital dollars for New York's park system.

Listed on the State and National
Register of Historic Places, Niagara Falls State Park attracts more than 8
million visitors a year. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites.

For more information on any of
these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com,
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